Texas House of Representatives

An Interview with Brian McCall

By Evan Smith Jan. 20, 2010

State Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, on the leadership of Speaker Joe Straus, the modern Republican party and his decision to leave the Texas House after two decades. Full Story

A Conversation with Joe Straus

By Evan Smith Jan. 18, 2010

For the first of our TribLive events, I interviewed the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives about his first session leading his colleagues, the coming budget turmoil, the controversial plans for a renovation of the Governor's Mansion, the "scary as hell" health care reforms in play in Congress, and, of course, the titanic battle of Rick vs. Kay. Full Story

Game On

By Morgan Smith Jan. 13, 2010

If ESPN analyst and Mike Leach antagonist Craig James decides to run for the U.S. Senate, he'd be simply the latest ex-athlete to assume his skills on the field translate to politics. Full Story

Craig James, ESPN Analyst, SMU All American, one half of the Pony Express at SMU with Eric Dickerson, announces a Team Texas draft pick — Credit: AAFL

TribBlog: Alexander Out, Davis In

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 12, 2010

House Speaker Joe Straus named Denise Davis his new chief of staff and said former Rep. Clyde Alexander, who had held that post, will become a senior advisor. Full Story

Denise Davis, pictured in 2007 — Credit: Elise Hu

TribBlog: Access Granted

By Julián Aguilar Jan. 11, 2010

Should reporters wear muzzles when they're around politicians? Some states seem to think so, but not, thankfully, Texas. Full Story

2010: About That Strama Rumor

By Elise Hu Jan. 4, 2010

If you've heard the rumor about state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, getting a federal appointment and not seeking re-election to the Texas House seat he's held since 2005... it's not true. Full Story

Last Man Standing

By Paul Stekler Jan. 1, 2010

As a holiday gift to Tribune readers, I'm pleased to present Last Man Standing, my documentary about the 2002 Texas House race between Rick Green and Patrick Rose. Full Story

Last Man Standing, Part Three

By Paul Stekler Dec. 30, 2009

As a holiday gift to Tribune readers, I'm pleased to present Last Man Standing, my documentary about the 2002 Texas House race between Republican incumbent Rick Green and Democratic challenger Patrick Rose, who mounted his campaign while attending law school. Full Story

2010: Corte Adjourns

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 29, 2009

Rep. Frank Corte Jr., R-San Antonio, became the sixth eighth member of the Texas House to say he won't seek reelection next year. He says he doesn't have specific plans, and adds that he's not endorsing any would-be successor. Full Story

Last Man Standing, Part Two

By Paul Stekler Dec. 29, 2009

As a holiday gift to Tribune readers, I'm pleased to present Last Man Standing, my documentary about the 2002 Texas House race between Republican incumbent Rick Green and Democratic challenger Patrick Rose, who mounted his campaign while attending law school at UT-Austin. It's the story of why people run for office — and what happens when ideals are pitted against the reality of what it takes to win. Full Story

2010: Swinford Won't Run Again

By Emily Ramshaw Dec. 28, 2009

It's "time to become a private citizen," the Dumas Republican said in a press release. Full Story

State Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas — Credit: Lubbock Online

Last Man Standing, Part One

By Paul Stekler Dec. 28, 2009

As a holiday gift to Tribune readers, I'm pleased to present Last Man Standing, my documentary about the 2002 Texas House race between Republican incumbent Rick Green and challenger Patrick Rose, a young Democrat who mounted his campaign while attending law school at UT-Austin. Full Story

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 26, 2009

Roll your own political videos ... interactive travel maps of your federal and state legislators ... scary movies, to keep the kids out of the border's scary drug wars ... puttting dropouts back in class ... rates squeezing families out of home health care ... how many lobby and trade associations do teachers in Texas need? ... enjoying the silence before an expected two-month siege of political advertising ... the dean of Texas political writers gets shut out of the gubernatorial debates ... and we have an interactive database of the state's best and worst public schools. The best of our best for a short news week, from December 19 to 26, 2009. Full Story

2010: The Old Carpetbagger Ploy

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 20, 2009

Holly Turner, running for the Texas House in Austin’s HD-47, got welcomed into the race by a fellow Republican’s press release with this headline Full Story

2010: Is Seven Enough for Isett?

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 17, 2009

Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, has his hometown buzzing with rumors that he won't seek an eighth term in the Texas House. Isett didn't return calls and texts to confirm, and his office said simply that he'll have an announcement on Friday. Full Story

Never Can Say Goodbye

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 15, 2009

Texas voters won't be offered a real chance at change in the Legislature and Congress next year. Four out of five state and federal lawmakers face no real competition in their primary or general elections. Full Story

Mapmaker, Mapmaker

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2009

Think like the political pros and your mind will go to the long game instead of the short one. The short game is the elections of 2010. The long game is redistricting in 2011, when maps are drawn that corral the voters into the districts that will elect legislators for the next ten years. Full Story